Bio of HONSTAIN, George T. (b.1858), Hennepin Co., MN
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EXTRACTED FROM: History of Minneapolis, Gateway to the Northwest;
Chicago-Minneapolis, The S J Clarke Publishing Co, 1923; Edited by: Rev.
Marion Daniel Shutter, D.D., LL.D.; Volume I - Shutter (Historical);
volume II - Biographical; volume III - Biographical
GEORGE T. HONSTAIN - Vol II, pg 631
One of the substantial business men of Minneapolis is George T. Honstain,
chair­man of the board of directors of the Western Crucible Steel Casting
Company, one of the representative manufacturing interests of the Northwest. A
native of Wisconsin, his birth occurred in Grant county, on the 23d of June,
1858, a son of Edward E. and Amanda (Logue) Honstain, the former born in New
York state. He passed away on September 18, 1922, at the age of ninety-seven
years. Three generations of the Honstain family are now residing in Minneapolis.
The family originally resided in Holland and the progenitor in this country was
John Honstain, grandfather of George T.
The public schools of Wisconsin afforded George T. Honstain his education and at
an early age he learned the carpenter's trade. He was engaged in contracting and
building for thirty years and achieved substantial success. On the 12th of
August, 1878, he came to Minneapolis and built many grain elevators here. He
likewise built a number in North Dakota, where he resided for a few years during
the late '80s. Minneapolis, however, has been his headquarters since 1878. In
1896 George T. Hon­stain, in association with J. H. Hopper and Ray Merritt,
organized the Western Crucible Steel Casting Company. Mr. Hopper and Mr. Merritt
withdrew from the business at the end of two years and since that time Mr.
Honstain has been sole owner and was president of the company from the time of
its organization to January 28, 1923. In his- business life he has been a
persistent, resolute and energetic worker, possessing strong executive powers,
and, added to a progressive spirit, ruled by more than ordinary intelligence and
good judgment, there has been a native justice which has expressed itself in
correct principle and practice. The Western Crucible Steel Casting Company
manufactures high alloyed electric steel castings and enjoys a trade extending
from coast to coast. The company's plant is located on Grand avenue, between
Twenty-eighth and Twenty-ninth streets, South, and is well equipped and
efficiently managed.
On the 18th of December, 1879, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Honstain to
Miss Hattie O. House, a native of Minnesota. To their union one son has been
born, Vernon Germain, who is now president of the company. Mrs. Honstain is a
woman of much culture and refinement and is socially prominent.
The political allegiance of Mr. Honstain is given to the republican party and
the principles for which it stands. Although he has never taken a particularly
active part in party affairs, he is ever cognizant of the duties and obligations
of good citizenship and his aid can always be counted upon in the furtherance of
any movement for the development and improvement of the community. Fraternally
he is a Mason, holding membership in Hennepin Lodge, No. 4, F. & A. M., of
Minneapolis; Minneapolis Con­sistory and Zuhrah Temple of the Mystic Shrine. Mr.
Honstain is likewise affiliated with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He
is an active contributor to the Civic & Commerce Association, the United
Commercial Travelers and the Citizens Alliance Club.